Class 2 Final Four Preview

Class 2 has three teams making a repeat trip to the final four. Last year Hermann knocked off Jefferson in the semifinals on their way to another state title, while Jefferson would take 3rd place. Strafford moved down to Class 2 and returned to the final four after finished 2nd in Class 3 to Blair Oaks. East Buchanan is making the school's first trip to the volleyball final four.   Jefferson 30-5-1   Vs. East Buchanan 31-5-1   The Blue Jays had a little speed bump to start the year, going 5-3-1 to start the season but since have won 25 of the last 27 games. Five of the six have committed to play college ball, and Roth is going to Arkansas as a libero. Jefferson has been on my radar since last year because they returned the solid core and added a big-time libero in [player_tooltip player_id='202458' first='Grace' last='Lowery']. The sectional match against Maplewood-Richmond Heights wasn't much of a match-winning 25-4, 25-5, and 25-4. Next would be Saxony Lutheran, who beat Jefferson 2-0 and then lost 3-2. Another five sets with Saxony would determine a final four trip, and Jefferson pulled out the match 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 17-15.   Jefferson Starters:   [player_tooltip player_id='168923' first='Emma' last='Breier'] – 2023 – Middle   421 kills and 194 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='102557' first='Ava' last='Roth'] – 2023 – Outside   306 kills and 346 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='101698' first='Kirstyn' last='Loyd'] – 2023 – Outside   304 kills and 267 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='217679' first='Avery' last='Richardson'] – 2023 – Middle   68 kills and 40 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='202458' first='Grace' last='Lowery'] – 2023 – Libero   226 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='171213' first='Paige' last='Siebert'] – 2023 – Setter   1010 assists and 217 digs   Maclayne McPeters – 2023 – Opposite   87 kills and 28 blocks   The Bulldogs are making their first trip to the final four and doing it on the arm of [player_tooltip player_id='99225' first='Maya' last='Watkins']. The four-year starter has been a leader from the get-go at East Buchanan and brings with her 1179 career kills. Another four-year starter is [player_tooltip player_id='241910' first='Kinzie' last='Woodside'], whose 1564 career digs are the glue that keeps this team going. The Bulldog's sectional round sweep of Lafayette County 25-21, 25-14, 25-8 set up the quarterfinal battle with Lone Jack. East Buchanan had to fight its way back from down 0-2 to take the last 3 for a 17-25, 14-25, 25-18, 25-18, and 15-12 win to push them into the final four.   East Buchanan Starters:   [player_tooltip player_id='99225' first='Maya' last='Watkins'] -2023 – Outside   398 kills and 282 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='493057' first='Rilyn' last='Sherwood'] – 2026 – Middle   220 kills   [player_tooltip player_id='241914' first='Holly' last='Caylor'] – 2024 – Middle   228 kills and 29 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='241910' first='Kinzie' last='Woodside'] – 2023 – Libero   526 digs   Brooklyn Adam – 2023 – Middle   206 kills and 36 blocks   [player_tooltip player_id='241915' first='Kylie' last='Clark'] – 2024 – Setter   209 digs and 949 assists   Zora Whitt – 2024 – DS   262 digs   Projection: Jefferson has too much firepower and is playing exceptionally well to be denied a trip to the championship. Jefferson is destined to make it to the championship match and wins 3-0.   Hermann 30-9-1   Vs. Strafford 26-8-1   Hermann is making its 28th final-four appearance and looking for a 16th state championship. When you talk about the final four for Class 2, Hermann is always in the mix and has been for three decades. Strafford returns to the final four after a 2nd place finishes in Class 3. Strafford is making its 7th final four and still seeking its first title. Montgomery County and West Plains are common opponents, and both teams swept them. Hermann Starters:   [player_tooltip player_id='168912' first='Holly' last='Heldt'] – 2023 – Middle   576 kills and 313 digs   Shelby Schutt – 2023 – Middle   149 kills and 154 digs   Jill Rood – 2024 – Outside   199 kills and 41 blocks   Quin Winkelmann – 2023 – Outside   137 kills   [player_tooltip player_id='493022' first='Kennedie' last='Witthaus'] – 2025 – DS   278 Digs   [player_tooltip player_id='241916' first='Brecklyn' last='Koeller'] – 2024 – Setter   1127 assists and 227 digs   Paige Schulte – 2024- Outside   98 kills and 268 digs   The only surprise with Strafford returning to the final four is I thought they would stay in Class 3. The Indians are known for their girls' basketball program, but volleyball is next in line at this rate. In the sectional round, Mt.View Liberty was the first victim as Strafford took a 25-17, 26-24, 25-16 win. In the quarterfinals, a one-loss Fair Grove team was waiting for another rematch. Strafford squeaked out a 22-25, 25-21, 25-27, 25-22, 15-12 win to return to the final four.   Strafford Starters:   [player_tooltip player_id='241911' first='Sophia' last='Frerking'] – 2023 – Middle   303 kills and 250 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='241912' first='Ashley' last='Suter'] – 2023 – Outside   242 kills and 251 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='170042' first='Halle' last='Forester'] – 2025 – Outside   394 digs and 184 kills   [player_tooltip player_id='150023' first='Abby' last='Chadwell'] – 2023 – Setter   966 assists, 94 kills, and 306 digs   [player_tooltip player_id='493037' first='Sophia' last='Venosdel'] – 2025 – Middle   186 kills and 34 blocks   Mya Highfill – 2025 – Outside   56 kills   Projection: Hermann takes the match in a barn burner 5-set match. Once Hermann gets to the final four, they are hard to stop. Jefferson and Hermann are a rematch of last year's semifinals which Hermann won in 4. Jefferson is waiting for redemption and seeks the school's first title.   Championship   Jefferson   vs. Hermann

Class 2 has three teams making a repeat trip to the final four. Last year Hermann knocked off Jefferson in the semifinals on their way to another state title, while Jefferson would take 3^rd place. Strafford moved down to Class 2 and returned to the final four after finished 2^nd in Class 3 to Blair Oaks. East Buchanan is making the school's first trip to the volleyball final four.